Minnesota Wild: Former Gopher Erik Haula stepping up at just the right time

Minnesota's Erik Haula skates against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on January 28, 2014, in Anaheim, Calif. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Entering his first season as a professional hockey player, Erik Haula just wanted to find a role with the Wild. And he figured the best way to get where he wanted was by taking small steps.

So the 23-year-old forward from Finland didn't fret when he was not on the Wild roster out of training camp. He didn't get his first call-up until the end of November. His first NHL goal didn't come until Jan. 18.

But as the Wild prep for their final five games of the regular season -- and possibly the playoffs -- Haula has shown enough during the second half of the season to earn a larger role with the team.

He is even more important to the Wild after second-line center Mikael Granlund, in the midst of a breakout season, suffered a head injury Monday. Coming off a concussion earlier this season, Granlund is out indefinitely.

That's where Haula comes in. A defensive specialist on the fourth line, it's time for him to create offense.

"I'm super excited," Haula said. "It's a great opportunity for myself. We're in a tight race with some teams that are playing well below us, so all the games are going to be crucial. I think it'll be a great experience."

Last year, Haula opted to leave the University of Minnesota hockey team after his junior season to sign with the Wild. In the past 12 months, he has gone from college player to minor leaguer to one of the Wild's top centers.

"It's crazy to think about that," Haula said. "Like I've said all along, I want to keep taking little steps as the year goes on, and I think I've been able to do that.

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With Granlund out, the Wild are limited down the middle. Third-line center Kyle Brodziak isn't an offensive threat, and the team's fifth center, Jake Dowell, brings more of a veteran, defensive presence.

To win games down the stretch, the Wild need offense from a center in addition to first-liner Mikko Koivu.

Thursday was Haula's first game in that role. He spent part of the Wild's 3-2 shootout loss to the Blackhawks on the second line with Jason Pominville and Matt Moulson, and part of it alongside Matt Cooke and Justin Fontaine.

He played a career-high 15 minutes, 30 seconds, took a career-best five shots, and scored the Wild's tying goal. You want more offense? He has produced three points in the past five games.

"This is a big opportunity for him," coach Mike Yeo said. "In that third period (of Thursday's game) I was trying to get him out there against their top line as much as possible. And I thought he did a good job."

Haula scored the tying goal with less than two minutes remaining in the third period, sending the game to overtime and securing a big point for the Wild, giving them seven in their past six games.

"What you're looking for from those young kids is when they're in the lineup you need them to contribute and help you win," Yeo said. "And he's been able to do that in whatever role he's been in. But another thing that's very important to us is to make sure that they're developing. And from what I've seen, he has developed."

Haula took his time showing the Wild he could be the kind of player they needed him to be. And he has become a reliable player at the most important time of the season.

"Obviously, this is a new test for him," Yeo said. "I want to see if he can do it on a full-time basis."